This month we begin our 175th Anniversary Year at St. John's. This month we begin a year of thanksgiving. So what is thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is our personal response to God for all that he has given to us. Thanksgiving begins in our hearts and in our minds.
At first we offer to God words of thanksgiving. The, with the words, we offer gifts to God. And finally we offer to God ourselves, our present and our future, our whole lives. Thanksgiving becomes a new way of looking, a new way of thinking, a new way of feeling and a new way of living.
Wonderful things begin to happen when we begin a new life of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving transforms our anxieties about the future, as we put ourselves into the hands of God every day. Thanksgiving dissolves self-pity and our obsession with ourselves, and we glimpse more and more of God's loving kindness. Thanksgiving makes us the children of God, who live and grow in the mercy of God. Thanksgiving enables us to be given, to forgive others, and to love and accept ourselves. Thanksgiving sets us free to be the person and people God calls us to be.
Thanksgiving is not just an individual experience. Thanksgiving creates community: a community of thanksgiving in Christ's Church, a community of thanksgiving in our neighbourhood, and in the world. Thanksgiving makes possible that steady, uncomplaining commitment to create a world of Justice and Peace for all
With all good wishes
Yours sincerely,
Raymond
Draper.